My research focuses on insect pests of forest trees, examining the effect of these interactions and how these effects can be managed in the context of an integrated pest management program. Much of my research examines the use of biological control as a management strategy. Here, various approaches are used to understand factors affecting biocontrol, as well as the suitability of potential new biocontrol agents. These include bioassays, field trials, and molecular and microbial analysis. I have worked extensively on the Sirex-Amylostereum-Deladenus interaction, and more recently I have become involved with biological control projects on the eucalyptus gall wasp, Leptocybe invasa, the bronze bug, Thaumastocoris peregrinus, the red gum lerp psyllid, Glycaspis brimblecombeii, as well as the use of entomopathogenic nematodes for the management of white grubs. My research also incorporates various other fields that are relevant to the understanding and management of forest insect pests, such as host resistance, insect-microbial interactions, genetic diversity and introduction history, risk assessment and pathway management.

News

Professor Brett Hurley of FABI was invited to participate and present in one of the side events organised during the COFO 24 session, titled “Towards a harmonized global approach for managing forest invasive species”.

Drs Brett Hurley and Michelle Schröder attended the 5th International Symposium on Biological Control of Arthropods (ISBCA), held in Langkawi, Malaysia from 11-15 September.
The session topics included aspects of accidental introduction of biocontrol agents, pre- and post-release genetics, Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) policy, and successes and uptake of biocontrol in developing countries.
Presentations from FABI included:
Dr Brett Hurley – Investigating the complex gall community of Leptocybe invasa.
Dr Michelle Schröder – Biological control of the Gonipterus scutellatus species complex: testing the species, climatic and phonological mismatch hypotheses
In addition, a poster was submitted by Samantha Bush, titled ‘Host specificity testing of Psyllaephagus bliteus, an accepted biocontrol agent of Glycaspis brimblecombei, reveals a new host.
Samantha’s poster, which was from her MSc work, won the Best Poster Award – congratulations Samantha!